So while checking my Facebook (yeah I still have one of those) on my lunch break I noticed a large amount of traffic on Stephen Garcia. Now I'll admit I too have a love hate relationship with the troubled former South Carolina quarterback, but after the first five games under his helm I can honestly say I am slightly relieved that the quarterback controversy is at least partially solved.
But before I get too far ahead of myself lets look at the good that Garcia did bring to the program. Concluding his collegiate career, Garcia placed himself in the top ranks of Gamecock quarterbacks of all time. He became the third quarterback to gain over 7,500 yards in his career completing over 50% of his passes (yes I can read). He was instrumental in our defeat of Alabama last year and with the Garcia-Lattimore dynamic duo we were able to muster an offense that led the Gamecocks to their first SEC East title and SEC championship berth.
Now the bad. While Garcia threw for 47 (some very breath-taking) touchdowns in his career, he also threw 41 interceptions. That's almost a 1-for-1 ratio on touchdowns to interceptions. His on the field confidence was something that, especially as of late, was not common for a junior quarterback of an SEC team, much less a 5th year senior. The fact that he led the NCAA in the most interceptions this season already was a great testament to that. Then there is the off the field violations...ironically enough, he was in fact given five opportunities to prove himself the caliber quarterback that we needed at Carolina and five times he showed the Gamecock faithful he wasn't.
Looking back I can honestly say I remember shouting at the TV waiting for Spurrier to put Garcia in over Blake Mitchell. I mean really. Garcia was a better talent at that phase than the starting senior, he just needed development. But lets not get too saddened, Steve Spurrier is not a coach that just throws any talent out on the field. As a former college quarterback himself, he has built a reputation for developing young talent and bringing teams to new heights...granted not as fast as most Carolina fans would have liked but still, we have seen an SEC East title in his tenure.Perhaps the sophomore Conner Shaw (who was a highly sought after QB himself lest we forget) is the fresh face we need after being dealt such a harsh break up with Garcia.
Love him or hate him we all now have to face facts, there are two kinds of people remaining in South Carolina right now. The Clemson sea of orange breathing a hesitant sigh of relief looking to this year's Palmetto Bowl, and then there's the rest of us. The Garnet and Black Army, who have bid farewell to one commander in hopes of predecessor, Shaw, leading us to new heights of glory...and an actual SEC title wouldn't be too bad either.
But before I get too far ahead of myself lets look at the good that Garcia did bring to the program. Concluding his collegiate career, Garcia placed himself in the top ranks of Gamecock quarterbacks of all time. He became the third quarterback to gain over 7,500 yards in his career completing over 50% of his passes (yes I can read). He was instrumental in our defeat of Alabama last year and with the Garcia-Lattimore dynamic duo we were able to muster an offense that led the Gamecocks to their first SEC East title and SEC championship berth.
Now the bad. While Garcia threw for 47 (some very breath-taking) touchdowns in his career, he also threw 41 interceptions. That's almost a 1-for-1 ratio on touchdowns to interceptions. His on the field confidence was something that, especially as of late, was not common for a junior quarterback of an SEC team, much less a 5th year senior. The fact that he led the NCAA in the most interceptions this season already was a great testament to that. Then there is the off the field violations...ironically enough, he was in fact given five opportunities to prove himself the caliber quarterback that we needed at Carolina and five times he showed the Gamecock faithful he wasn't.
Looking back I can honestly say I remember shouting at the TV waiting for Spurrier to put Garcia in over Blake Mitchell. I mean really. Garcia was a better talent at that phase than the starting senior, he just needed development. But lets not get too saddened, Steve Spurrier is not a coach that just throws any talent out on the field. As a former college quarterback himself, he has built a reputation for developing young talent and bringing teams to new heights...granted not as fast as most Carolina fans would have liked but still, we have seen an SEC East title in his tenure.Perhaps the sophomore Conner Shaw (who was a highly sought after QB himself lest we forget) is the fresh face we need after being dealt such a harsh break up with Garcia.
Love him or hate him we all now have to face facts, there are two kinds of people remaining in South Carolina right now. The Clemson sea of orange breathing a hesitant sigh of relief looking to this year's Palmetto Bowl, and then there's the rest of us. The Garnet and Black Army, who have bid farewell to one commander in hopes of predecessor, Shaw, leading us to new heights of glory...and an actual SEC title wouldn't be too bad either.
Can't wait to see what Conner continues to do in the upcoming games for the Gamecocks. I'm hoping it will be just like last week from here on out.
ReplyDelete